Okay, ladies. Let’s talk turkey. Or, you know, bras and underwear. While they aren’t the most fun things to shop for, quality foundation garments that are in good condition and fit properly are super important to good style. Let’s face it, no matter how cute your clothes are, if you’re sagging and dragging, you will look frumpy. I mean, they’re called foundations for a reason!
It’s also important to keep our foundation garments up to date, as our bodies fluctuate and our needs change, so they can provide the best possible shape and support under our clothes. So today I’ve rounded up all of my favorite bras, underwear, and shapewear here in one place for easy reference! I hope it’s helpful, if you’re looking to update your foundations this spring.
My Favorite Everyday T-Shirt Bras
SIZING NOTES: Before my breast reduction surgery in 2022, I fluctuated between a 34DD or 34DDD bra size for most of my adult life. Since my surgery, I’ve settled into a pretty reliable 34D, so I have more options than I used to, but I still need supportive bras.
I share that information because most of the bras I recommend here are targeted to women with larger cup sizes. Not to say you won’t find some options in here if you’re on the smaller side, but there may be better options for you than these.
Also, I want to point out that a lot of the styles I’m sharing here are part of the Friends & Family Sale at Bare Necessities. Unfortunately, when I try to link the exact items on their site, it redirects to the home page, but you may want to search for them there, if you want to get 30% off.
Wacoal Embrace Lace T-Shirt Bra
at Nordstrom // at Zappos // at Saks // on sale at Bare Necessities
This is my most worn everyday bra. It’s supportive, it has really good good lift and shaping, and the molded cups prevent any unfortunate show-through. The lace detail dresses it up a little bit so I still feel like I’m wearing pretty lingerie, and it comes in a wide range of sizes.
There’s really nothing not to love about this bra, except is a little pricey and it doesn’t come in a ton of colors. Still, I’m willing to pay the price for everything it has to offer. I always keep at least two in beige and one in black in my rotation. It comes in a good range of larger cup sizes, from at 30D/32C to 38G/40DD.
Chantelle Basic Invisible Smooth Support T-Shirt Bra
at Nordstrom // at Zappos // at Bloomingdale’s // at Saks // on sale at Bare Necessities
This bra is a newer discovery, and I only have one of them at the moment, but it’s pretty close to the shape and style of the Wacoal Embrace Lace T-Shirt Bra without the pretty lace detail. I like how the straps look a little more finished if they are exposed when wearing a tank or wide neck shirt. This bra comes in some smaller sizes than the Wacoal; sizes range from 32B to 38E/40D
Freya Idol Moulded Balcony Bra
at Nordstrom // at Macy’s // at Amazon // on sale at Bare Necessities
This was my favorite everyday bra when I was at my largest. It has more support than the Wacoal and Chantelle t-shirt bras, and it gives a really nice shape to the girls. It’s almost minimizing, without being a minimizer. (I have never liked minimizers; they seem to flatten me out and make my shape look odd.) This bra comes in several “nude” shades for darker skin tones, and sizes range from 28D to 38G. There are tons of cup sizes in the 28 and 30 back sizes, which is hard to find.
Wacoal Comfort First T-Shirt Bra
at Nordstrom // at Shopbop // at Macy’s // at Zappos
This bra has memory foam cups that conform to the natural shape of your curves, and the smooth back straps don’t leave indentations or create any lines underneath your clothes. It’s the one I wore the most in the months following my surgery because it’s very soft and comfortable against the skin, and it was the only bra I could find with an underwire that didn’t aggravate my incisions.
It isn’t quite as supportive as the ones above, so I can’t say I’d recommend it if you’re over a D cup, but if you’re smaller, it could work well for you. It comes in a wide range of sizes from 32A to 38DDD.
Soma VANISHING 360 Perfect Coverage Bra
at Soma
This bra is designed with Soma’s 360 smoothing technology and vanishing edges to ensure no unsightly lumps and bumps under your t-shirts or stretchy knits. The way it’s cut in the back really helps eliminate those bulges under the arms. It also has flat hooks at the hook-and-eye closure, and elastic straps that adjust in front! I wish every bra had that feature. It comes in a wide variety of colors, and sizes range from 32C/34B to 40G/42DDD.
Warners This Is Not A Bra Cushioned Underwire Lightly Lined T-Shirt Bra
at Amazon // at Kohl’s // on sale at Macy’s // on sale at Bare Necessities
This bra is the most affordable bra I’ve found that gives me good coverage and support. It has a cushioned underwire area to prevent digging and poking, which is pretty miraculous! I wish I’d known about this bra sooner. I would definitely have worn it a lot in the months following my surgery, when I was still sensitive around my incisions. It also has those convenient front-adjustable straps, but sizes are limited to 34B – 40C/38D.
Maidenform One Fab Fit Everyday Full Coverage Racerback Bra
at Macy’s // at Kohl’s // at Bare Necessities
This is the bra I wear when I need the t-back feature. It has a nice shape to it, and it doesn’t create lines underneath your clothes. Plus, I think the back design is so pretty!
My Favorite Strapless Bra
Wacoal Red Carpet Convertible Strapless Bra
at Nordstrom // at Bloomingdale’s // at Saks // at Zappos // on sale at Bare Necessities
There is no such thing as a comfortable strapless bra, but this one is about as good as it gets. I wore it when I was a 34DDD, and it was tolerable for a few hours at dinner or an event. Now that I’m a 34D, I could wear it all day. It creates a nice shape, and it has grippers that help it to not slide down, as long as you fasten it tight enough.
This bra also has removable, convertible straps so you can wear it 5 ways: traditional, strapless, halter, crisscross back, and one shoulder. It comes in a wide range of sizes, from 30D/32C to 44G.
My Favorite Sports Bras
Panache Ultimate High Impact Underwire Sports Bra
at Nordstrom // at Amazon // on sale at Bare Necessities
This is the only bra I’ve found that gives me enough support for running, while also giving me the look I like under clothes. I love how this bra shapes and separate the girls, as I really detest the “uniboob” sports bra look. It also has the J-hook in the back that allows you to convert it to a racerback style, so I like it under my racerback tanks. Plus, it gives you more support when fastened that way.
Wacoal Simone Seamless Underwire Sports Bra
at Nordstrom // at Zappos // on sale at Macy’s // on sale at Bare Necessities
This is sports bra I wear most often right now, for walking and weight lifting. I like the shape it provides, and it’s comfortable and easy to fasten. You can also make the straps criss-crossed in the back, for better support and fit under racerback tops, but I’m not coordinated enough to maneuver my way into it when it’s configured that way, so I wear it as shown above. I like that it comes in some fun colors, and it runs true to size.
My Favorite Wireless Bralettes
True & Co. Body Lift V-Neck Bralette
at Nordstrom // at Amazon // at Bloomingdale’s
Sometimes I don’t want to wear a full-on bra but I still want to look decent walking around in front of friends and family, and that’s when I grab one of these bralettes. If you like to sleep in something with light support, these are great for that too!
ENBLISS Bralette
at Soma
This is the Soma version, and I like it almost as well, but I feel like I get a little more coverage from the True & Co. bralettes. I have some of each and wear them interchangeably.
My Favorite Shapewear
Okay, moving on to shapewear! There are basically three levels of shapewear — smoothing, shaping, and sculpting.
- Smoothing shapewear has light control, to help you look sleek under your clothes. These are generally lightweight and comfortable enough for all day wear.
- Shaping pieces have medium control, and they help smooth the appearance of lumps and bumps.
- Sculpting shapewear has the most support and compression, and it is designed to sculpt and reshape the body for the most flattering fit.
I don’t wear shapewear every day, but I almost always wear something under dresses, and sometimes even with pants and jeans if the outfit seems to need some extra smoothing or shaping.
FIT TIP: If you are having issues with your shapewear rolling down in the waist, or rolling up in the legs, or creating more lumps and bumps than you started with, I recommend sizing UP. I often size up one or two sizes in shapewear. It shouldn’t feel constricting. If it’s the right fit, you should be able to wear it comfortably all day.
Wacoal Body Base Shorty
at Macy’s // at Nordstrom // at Amazon // at Shopbop
These lightweight smoothing shorts are my favorites for under white pants and jeans, and I also wear these under casual dresses that don’t require extra support.
The waist doesn’t roll down, and the legs stay in place, plus the free cut leg doesn’t create a visible line through my jeans.
Spanx OnCore Mid-Thigh Short
at Spanx // at Nordstrom
These shorts are what I wear when I want more shaping and sculpting, mostly under fitted dresses or jumpsuits. They have the most powerful compression that Spanx offers, with booty-enhancing pockets, fully-bonded front-panels for a tabletop flat stomach, and edge-bonded side panels for squeeze-free slimming. There is also a high-waist version of these, but I haven’t tried those. I wear these shorts in the size medium.
Spanx OnCore Open Bust Mid Thigh Shaper Bodysuit
at Spanx // at Nordstrom // at Zappos // at Macy’s
When I want all-over body smoothing and sculpting under a body-con dress, I wear this bodysuit, but it’s been a long time since I’ve been willing to go through the trouble. I can usually make do with the shorts and a slip (see below.) But this is a good piece to have in your arsenal for those rare occasions when you absolutely need it. I recommend sizing up an extra size in this; I wear the large.
Commando Fitted Slip
at Nordstrom // at Shopbop // at Bloomies
This isn’t really shapewear, but I’ll throw it in this category. I wear this slip under all of my knit and jersey dresses — pretty much any that aren’t already lined. It’s also perfect for wearing over sweater dresses in the winter. It doesn’t offer any shaping, but it allows your dresses to skim the body without clinging. I also have the Mini Cami Slip for under shorter dresses or dresses with a slit, and I wear both in the M/L.
My Favorite Underwear
We’re in the home stretch! This section isn’t nearly as long as the other two, but I have a few different options I want to share with you here.
Hanky Panky Original Rise Thong
at Nordstrom // at Bloomies
I detest VPL (visible panty lines) and these are the most comfortable thongs I’ve found. I wear them under all of my pants and jeans. The exception is white pants or denim, in which case I wear the Wacoal Body Base Shorty.
HINT: Hanky Panky is usually included in the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, which happens in July. That’s when I like to stock up. Also, these are one size fits all, so that makes it easy!
Natori Bliss Cotton Blend Briefs
at Nordstrom // at Bloomies
When I want regular cotton undies, these are my first choice. They’re just comfy and easy. I wear these to sleep in, and I often wear them under shorts. For some reason, I find thongs uncomfortable with shorts, and I don’t seem to have the same issue with panty lines as I do with jeans. These are also usually included in the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, and I wear the medium.
Soma Vanishing Edge Microfiber Modern Brief
at Soma
When I want more coverage than a thong, and I don’t want to wear the shaping shorts, these are the best I’ve found for giving me a seamless look without riding up. They have grippers at the leg openings, which helps them stay in place. If you find they still create some lines around the leg opening or the waist, try sizing up. I usually buy the medium, but I might start buying large.
Chantelle Soft Stretch Seamless Hipster Briefs
at Nordstrom
These are my newest discovery, and I like them better than the Soma Vanishing Edge Modern Brief, but they’re a lot more expensive, especially considering that you can often find the Soma undies on sale. They’re super stretchy and comfortable, and they stay in place without the grippers, which can be annoying when you’re pulling them up and down.
This is another situation where you should size up, if you’re unsure about sizing. Buying the pack of 5 is more economical than buying singles, but definitely order one to test them out first.
And I think that about covers it! The only other thing I should mention is that I love the Thigh Society Cooling Shorts for anti-chafing shorts when you don’t need compression. I wore them under all my dresses when we were touring Italy last summer in 100-degree weather, and they were the perfect solution. Once again, size up to prevent rolling. I like the size large.
Do you have any favorite foundations we should know about? Feel free to share in the comment section below!
